Meaning
A reduction in the functionality of an organ caused by disease, injury or lack of use.
Etymology
Origin: Latin
Borrowed from French atrophie, from Latin atrophia, from Ancient Greek ἀτροφία (atrophía, “a wasting away”), from ἄτροφος (átrophos, “ill-fed, un-nourished”), from ἀ- (a-, “not”) + τροφή (trophḗ, “nourishment”), from τρέφω (tréphō, “to fatten”). Equivalent to a- + -trophy.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms
hypertrophystrengthen
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 2 recorded puzzles, including a pangram: